The Cincinnati Bengals decided to release starting guard Alex Cappa after three up-and-down seasons with the team. Originally entering the league as a third-round pick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cappa earned a reputation as one of the league’s better guards while protecting Tom Brady and signed a $35 million deal with Cincinnati in the 2022 offseason. While he had a solid first year with the club, he suffered an injury late in 2022 and hasn’t looked the same since.
Bengals have released veteran G Alex Cappa.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2025
Last year, Cappa finished with a 50.5 PFF grade, the 71st-best mark out of 77 eligible players. Seeing as his release saved the team more than $8 million in cap space, the Bengals had no choice but to part ways with Alex Cappa. Perhaps his best days are forever behind him, but he had a long record of solid play before the past two seasons. Seeing as there aren’t enough good offensive linemen to go around, a team like the New Orleans Saints or Los Angeles Chargers could kick the tires on the veteran.
Saints, Chargers Could Sign Alex Cappa After Bengals Release
The New Orleans Saints need all the help they can get. Currently boasting one of the worst rosters in the league, this team desperately needs more help along the offensive line but lacks the funds to acquire proven veterans in free agency. Sitting $47 million over the salary cap, General Manager Mickey Loomis will restructure some deals before the start of the league year but won’t create enough space to go after top options like Will Fries. With that in mind, the Saints might as well make a low-risk, medium-reward investment in Alex Cappa.
All signs point towards Derek Carr returning for the 2025 season, which makes sense. Carr may not be perfect, but the longtime veteran gives the Saints the best chance to win. However, he is one of the worst in the league at handling pressure, and last year’s injury woes suggest his body is starting to slow down. Carr won’t survive another 17 games behind this makeshift offensive line, and signing Alex Cappa after his Bengals release could give the team a cost-effective starter for the 2025 season.
Winning In the Trenches
On paper, the Los Angeles Chargers have the financial resources to get a better free agent than Alex Cappa. However, they still need to re-sign Khalil Mack, Poona Ford, Asante Samuel Jr., and Bradley Bozeman, among others, and these players will eat into the Chargers $66.4 million in cap space. If the team can’t afford all those players and a top guard, they could settle for a cheap option in Cappa.
The Chargers have arguably the league’s best tackle duo in Rashwan Slater and 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt, but their interior offensive line needs some help. Zion Johnson is an adequate starter, but Trey Pipkins is an active liability. The present-day version of Alex Cappa might not be better, but it can’t hurt to bring him in and see what he can do. If nothing else, he should be cheaper than Pipkins and his $9.25 million cap hit.
Main Photo: Albert Cesare – Imagn Images
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